The Stripling Brothers

Biography

From early childhood the two brothers, Charlie (Charles Nevins Stripling, 8 August 1896, Pickens County, Alabama, USA, d. 19 January 1966, Alabama, USA) and Ira (b. Ira Lee Stripling, 5 June 1898, Pickens County, Alabama, USA, d. 11 March 1967, Alabama, USA), developed a considerable level of skill as fiddlers and guitarists. By their late teens, they were well known throughout the state, especially in the northern hill country. With a repertoire of traditional songs, they often entered contests and maintained a competitive edge to their performances by developing ear-catching techniques. They played on radio in Alabama and adjacent states and in the late 20s were recorded in Birmingham, Alabama, by Vocalion Records. This first recording date produced The Big Footed Nigger In The Sandy Lot and The Lost Child, which attracted a lot of attention. Historically, The Lost Child was of special importance as researchers and archivists...